Systematic Chaos.

[michblanch]

Extremely tight CD.

I love it from the opening track till the end. DT proves once again why they are the kings of prog.

[ShredHead42]

before we start any arguments, DT is great. I love them. they can do what they want. What follows is my opinion. I know it won't change a thing, and I know no one else really cares. But that's what forums are for. I don't want to get into arguments. I probably won't even reply to other replies. These are my thoughts on the new album.

as I've always said, A) they should fire labrie and go instrumental.

as I've been saying since Metropolis 2, B) they should DEFINITELY fire portnoy from ever singing. EVER. I'd rather them keep labrie.

C) is anyone else sick to death of portnoy's AA songs? They all recycle the same riffs over and over (call it musical allusion if you want, but i found metropolis 2 far more clever), they have terrible verses that last an inordinately lengthy amount of time, and above all, they sound like awful megadeth/metallica rip offs.

That said, I do enjoy the instrumental sections of the album and feel that they spent more time on the overall songwriting than they have on the past few albums, upon which certain songs felt very focused and other songs felt very Demo-y (not to mention crappy).

I think I may make myself an edited version of this record that excludes the vocals.

Hurray these guys still make great music, hurray portnoy has said LTE 3 is not completely out of the question any more, and most of all, hurray Roadrunner has really promoted and stood behind these guys, as they deserve to be stood behind fully!

/DT rant over


and michblanch... as far as kings of progs, wait until their very close 2nd releases their 7th album upon us on the 26th this month (symphony x).

jeez, and Vai is releasing an album this month... and Ron Jarzombek's new project is due out this summer/fall! What a good time for good (prog) music!!!

[waylay00]

I like it, but it still pales in comparison to Images and Words/Awake.

I still don't understand why everyone thinks that Scenes From a Memory was their best album. IMO, that was the start of their relative "downfall" (don't get me wrong, I'm a HUGE DT fan, and the music they produce now is still leagues above many other bands)

I don't know, it just seems as if DT still has this certain approach to songs that I can't quite place my finger on. TBH, I've never been a big fan of Rudess's keyboard skills, as he can sound way too cartoonish sometimes. I have also yet to see Petrucci pull of a soaring solo (such as the one in Awake's "Scarred") that isn't filled with ONLY 32nd notes running up and down since that era.

With that said, I still love DT

[Gusfmm]

100% agree with waylay00. DT has never been the same post Moore. He and Petrucci wrote absolutely killer pieces. Never been the same since.

And don't get me wrong, both Sherinian and Rudess are superb players. Rudess is a separate class himself. Great soloists. But the chemistry has never been the same from a compositional viewpoint, as a band.

[Eco]

I love the new album, images and words is still probably my fave tho.

Ah well, im off to see them on Saturday

[Dee]

I'm with ShredHead42 -- ditch the vocals and I might think about listening to DT.

The best answer though, is listen to Planet X instead.

[IbanezFreak777]

I wrote this whole big response, but I then realised that you can't convince people with words or your own opinion. You either feel it or you don't.

DT have never dissapointed me in their music including the new one. Their music is exactly how I like my music.

I can't really fault them.

Each person has their own tastes and mine is 100% DT.

DT ROCKS

[Eco]

DT has enough instrumental passages so that they dont have to ditch the singer to attract the instrumental crowd.

I think it mite be the Budokan dvd, but Labrie really shines in that one compared to some of the other recordings.

[bammbamm]

I think 6DOIT was DT's Black Album...It's been preetty much downhill since that point. I've been listening to SC since I got it and have to say it has maybe 3 good tracks on it, but overall it isn't all it was rumored to be. Opening track is huge sounding and there are some good riffs, but as was said, the soloing is uninspired...unless you find repetitive scalar fragments over and over inspiring.
Since Jordan came on board, the writing quality has been pretty bad. Derek, I felt brought a great vibe to the music, listen to "Lines in the sand" how great is that song?! I also agree with the "Cartoonish" vibe of Jordan, I would also add he plays like a walking MIDI file. He's amazing technically, but with this lineup, I don't think he gels with the band's musical identity (of long ago)

Not as bad a flop as Octivarium or TOT, but it's no Change of Seasons or I&W, either.

[winterlong]

I simply think this disk stinks and was a waste of my time. It seems like the lost ramblings of old men that can no longer remember what made them great.

And why would anyone let anyone but James sing. Come on I know these guys aren't tone deaf.

[jim777]

I loved 6DOIT, and while I hate most of Octavarium, I love the title song. That is just superb. I didn't know this disk was actually out yet; I guess I've been busy.

[jaxadam]

Originally Posted by jim777

I didn't know this disk was actually out yet; I guess I've been busy.

Well, looks like it just came out yesterday, so I don't think you're too behind.

[courtney2018]

Originally Posted by ShredHead42

jeez, and Vai is releasing an album this month...

Yes, I know 'dis, man. I've already pre-ordered it from Vai.com. It's some special edition CD with a t-shirt. I think it was a limited number of them or something. Also, a select number of those will have some sort of backstage pass, but even if you got that you still have to buy a ticket to the show. Anyways, if you're interested in it check out www.vai.com and pre-order it there.

[courtney2018]

Originally Posted by jim777

I loved 6DOIT, and while I hate most of Octavarium, I love the title song. That is just superb. I didn't know this disk was actually out yet; I guess I've been busy.

Yea, I'm not too fond of Octavarium either. That disc has been played twice. The second time I was trying to like it, but it just isn't happening.

[Homeless]

I find it suprising that people don't like Octavarium. I think every track on the album is fantastic. Different strokes, I guess.

I pre-ordered the album and as a result ended up having to wait longer for it. Go figure. I have high expectations, so we'll see.